JP4432564B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that forms an image on a recording sheet by ejecting ink droplets while conveying the recording sheet.

  Conventionally, a recording head and a recording medium transport unit that transports the recording paper along the head surface of the recording head are provided, and by ejecting ink droplets with the recording head while transporting the recording paper with the recording medium transport unit, A printer configured to record an image on a recording sheet is used.

  In this type of printer, due to its structure, the recording paper being transported may be jammed between the recording head and the recording medium transporting section, so the operation of removing the jammed recording paper, so-called jam processing, is performed. It is necessary to have a configuration that can handle this.

In this way, as a configuration capable of performing the jam processing, for example, the recording head side (upper chassis 2) is lifted upward, and the space between the recording head and the recording medium conveyance unit (conveyance belt unit 31) is increased vertically. It is conceivable to configure it so that it is opened (see Cited Document 1), so that jam processing can be easily performed.
JP 2003-94744 A (for example, paragraph [0121])

  However, as described above, in the configuration in which the recording head and the recording medium conveyance unit are largely opened up and down by lifting the recording head side upward, the recording medium conveyance unit is exposed to the outside of the printer, and jam processing is performed. Sometimes it becomes easy to mix garbage from the outside.

  In addition, since the recording head side is lifted upward, when the recording head side is lifted upward, or when the recording head side is returned to the original position, large vibrations and impacts are easily applied to the recording head. As a result, ink droplets may not be ejected from the head surface with high accuracy. For example, when the printer is an ink jet printer, the ink droplet ejection port of each nozzle formed on the head surface has a meniscus that can continuously eject ink droplets for the purpose of controlling the ejection of ink droplets with high accuracy. Is formed. In such an ink jet printer, if a large vibration or impact is applied to the recording head as a result of jam processing, the meniscus of each nozzle may be destroyed, and as a result, ink droplets may not be ejected.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to allow dust to be mixed from the outside during jam processing and to prevent ink droplets from being ejected from the recording head with jam processing. It is to provide a technique for preventing this.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a printer according to claim 1 is provided with a recording head for recording an image on a recording medium, a recording medium transport unit that transports the recording medium along a head surface of the recording head, Displacement means capable of displacing the recording medium transport section to a proximity position close to the head surface and a separation position separated from the head surface; a housing that houses the recording head, the recording medium transport section, and the displacement means. A printer with a body. Further, in this printer, an opening is formed in a side surface of the casing, and the opening can be opened and closed in the casing, and the recording medium is loaded when the recording medium transport unit is in the separation position. A cover member that can be taken out is provided.
A supply / conveyance unit disposed in a supply path for supplying the recording medium to the recording medium conveyance unit, and having a conveyance roller for nipping and conveying the recording medium; and driving the conveyance roller; A motor that can drive the displacement means via a planetary gear that can be coupled to the displacement means, and the displacement means includes a groove portion that extends in the recording medium conveyance direction in the recording medium conveyance portion. A cam gear having a protrusion that is rotatable and protrudes in a direction crossing the rotation direction, the protrusion is slidably fitted in the groove, and the motor rotates in the first direction. The rotation is transmitted to the transport roller to drive the transport roller to transport the recording medium, and the planetary gear is not connected to the displacement means, and the motor is connected to the first roller. When the planetary gear rotates in the second direction opposite to the direction, the planetary gear is connected to the displacement means and transmits the rotation to the displacement means, thereby rotating the cam gear and rotating the medium transport unit. Is displaced from the proximity position to the separation position or from the separation position to the proximity position.

  According to the printer configured as described above, the recording medium positioned between the recording medium conveyance unit and the head surface can be removed in a state where the recording head and the recording medium conveyance unit are separated from each other. At this time, the operation of removing the recording paper, so-called jam processing, is performed through an opening formed on the side surface of the housing, and the recording medium transport unit is not exposed to the outside. As compared with the configuration in which the recording head and the recording medium transporting portion are largely opened up and down by lifting the recording head, it is possible to make it difficult for dust to enter the printer.

  In addition, this printer has a structure that allows jam processing by separating the recording medium conveyance unit side from the head surface. Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the recording head side is displaced, when the recording medium is taken out. The recording head is not subject to large vibrations or shocks.

  This is particularly effective in an ink jet printer that ejects ink droplets from a recording head. In an inkjet printer, for the purpose of accurately controlling the ejection of ink droplets, the ink droplet ejection port of each nozzle provided in the recording head must be continuously formed with a meniscus in a state where ink droplets can be ejected. There is. For this reason, if a large vibration or impact is applied to the recording head during the jam processing, the meniscus of each nozzle is destroyed, and there is a possibility that the ink droplet to be ejected next cannot be controlled accurately. . However, if the recording medium conveying unit side is separated from the head surface as in this printer, it is difficult to apply a large vibration or impact to the recording head in the jam processing, so that the meniscus of the nozzle is not broken. Ink droplet ejection can be accurately controlled.

  In addition, if the printer has a configuration in which each nozzle of the recording head is connected to the ink tank via an ink supply path, the height of the ink tank and the nozzle (water head difference) causes the meniscus portion to Such pressure is different. In spite of the jam processing, the positional relationship between the recording head and the ink tank changes, so that the pressure in the supply path varies, and depending on the degree, the meniscus may not be maintained. As a result, there is a possibility that the next ejected ink droplet cannot be accurately controlled. However, with this printer, the positional relationship between the print head and the ink tank does not change during jam processing, so the meniscus is maintained in a state where it can be ejected constantly, and as a result, the ejection of ink droplets is accurately controlled. it can.

  Further, in this configuration, since an openable / closable cover member that opens or closes the opening is provided, dust can be mixed into the printer by closing the opening with this cover member except during jam processing. Can be reliably prevented.

  Note that the timing of the displacement of the recording medium transport unit by the displacement unit described above is not particularly limited. For example, the displacement unit is displaced to a separated position or a proximity position in response to a user operation. What is necessary is just to comprise so that a displacement may be performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening detection means for detecting that the cover member is opened, and the displacement means is configured to convey the recording medium when the opening detection means detects that the cover member is opened. You may comprise so that a part may be displaced to a separation position.

  According to this configuration, the recording medium conveyance unit is automatically displaced to the separation position as the cover member is opened, so that it is possible to easily perform jam processing by simply opening the cover member.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided closing detection means for detecting that the cover member is closed, and the displacement means is configured to convey the recording medium when the closing detection means detects that the cover member is closed. You may comprise so that a part may be displaced to a proximity position.

  According to this configuration, the recording medium conveyance unit is automatically displaced to the close position as the cover member is closed. Therefore, after removing the recording medium, the jamming process can be easily ended simply by closing the cover member. be able to.

  5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the cover member is formed with at least a part of a supply path for supplying the recording medium to the recording medium transport unit in a state in which the opening is closed. When the printer is opened, at least a part of the supply path is exposed to the outside of the printer.

  According to the printer configured as described above, the space for providing the cover member and the space as the recording medium supply path are integrated, so that the printer itself is compared with the case where these spaces are provided separately. Can be miniaturized.

  Furthermore, since the supply path formed in the cover member is exposed to the outside of the printer by opening the cover member, when a recording medium is jammed in the supply path, it is easy to perform jam processing from the supply path. Can be.

As the separation position as described above, for example, may be a position obtained by separating the entire recording medium conveying unit from the recording head, for this purpose, for example, displacement of means, the recording medium conveying unit, the recording What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may displace to the said separation | spacing position and the said proximity position by rotating centering around the one end side of a medium conveyance part.

If comprised in this way, it can displace to a separation position or a proximity position by rotating centering on the one end side of a recording-medium conveyance part.
Further, for example, if the recording medium conveyance unit is configured to convey the recording medium by a belt that is stretched between a pair of rollers and is displaced as the rollers rotate, one roller With such a simple configuration that the entire recording medium transport unit is rotated about the rotation axis in FIG. 1, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the recording medium transport unit is displaced to the separated position or the close position.

  By the way, in order to transport the recording medium by the recording medium transport unit described above, it is necessary to supply the recording medium to the recording medium transport unit. For this purpose, for example, the recording medium is supplied to the recording medium transport unit. In the supply path, a supply / conveyance section provided with a conveyance roller for nipping and conveying the recording medium may be disposed. However, in this case, it is necessary to configure the recording medium conveyance unit and the supply conveyance unit so that the recording medium can be conveyed at the same speed, but the respective conveyance speeds are different due to errors, deterioration, and the like. There is a risk. Therefore, if the transport speed by the recording medium transport section is faster than the transport speed by the supply transport section, the recording medium is transported in a pulled state. Conversely, the transport speed by the recording medium transport section is higher than the transport speed by the supply transport section. If it is slow, the recording medium is transported in a slack state, and the recording medium may be damaged.

Therefore, in order to prevent such damage to the recording medium, for example, as described in claim 5 , when the recording medium is supplied from the supply conveyance unit to the recording medium conveyance unit, the conveyance roller May be configured to release the holding of the recording medium.

  According to this configuration, when the recording medium is supplied to the recording medium conveying unit by the supply conveying unit, that is, when the conveyance of the recording medium by the recording medium conveying unit is started, the holding of the recording medium by the conveying roller is released. Therefore, the recording medium is not conveyed by the supply conveyance unit. Therefore, even when the transport speeds of the recording medium transport section and the supply transport section are different due to errors or deterioration, the recording medium is transported in a stretched state or is in a slack state. In this way, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being damaged.

In addition, the printer according to each of the above configurations is configured such that the displacement means, the supply conveyance unit, and the conveyance roller are driven by a single motor.
According to the printer configured as described above, the displacement of the recording medium conveyance unit by the displacing means, the nipping and releasing of the supply conveyance unit by the conveyance roller, and the rotation of the conveyance roller are performed by a single motor. Therefore, the number of motors for driving each component of the printer can be reduced.
Further, according to each of the above-described configurations, a pickup unit that mounts a recording medium and a pickup that supplies the recording medium mounted on the mounting unit to the recording medium transport unit are provided. A roller and a transmission mechanism capable of transmitting the power of the motor to the pickup roller, the transmission mechanism having a clutch for intermittently transmitting the power to the pickup roller; The transmission mechanism transmits the power to the pickup roller by the clutch to drive the pickup roller to supply the recording medium, and the motor moves in the second direction. When rotating, the transmission mechanism does not transmit the power to the pickup roller by the clutch.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The printer 1 performs recording by discharging ink droplets from the head surface of the recording head 10 while transporting the recording paper along the head surface of the fixed recording head 10 in the direction of the arrow by the recording medium transport unit 20. It is a line printer that forms an image on a sheet.

  In the housing 2 of the printer 1, in addition to the recording head 10 and the recording medium transport unit 20, a sheet feeding cassette 30 for storing the recording sheet p, and a recording sheet p stored in the sheet feeding cassette 30 one by one. A lower paper feed pick-up roller section 34 that picks up and conveys it to the paper feed chute 32, a paper feed roller 36 and a pinch roller 38 that convey the recording paper p conveyed in the paper feed chute 32 to the recording medium conveyance section 20 side, A manual paper feed pickup roller unit 42 that picks up the recording paper p set on the manual feed tray 40 one by one and conveys it to the recording medium conveyance unit 20 side, and reaches one end side (right side in FIG. 1) of the recording medium conveyance unit 20. The sheet pressing roller 44 that presses the recorded recording sheet p against the upper surface of the recording medium transport unit 20, and the upper paper discharge chute from the other end side (left side in FIG. 1) of the recording medium transport unit 20 Like upper discharge roller 50 and a pinch roller 52 discharges the recording paper p which is conveyed to 6 upward sheet discharge unit 48 is housed.

  In addition, the side surface (right side in FIG. 1) of the housing 2 is a paper feeding unit 3 that can be opened and closed by rotating about the lower end side. In the sheet feeding unit 3, a sheet feeding chute 32, a sheet feeding roller 36, a pinch roller 38, and a manual sheet feeding pickup roller section 42 are arranged on the inner side of the casing 2, and the side portion of the casing 2 is accompanied by these components. Is opened and closed (see FIGS. 1A and 1B), and when opened, an opening H is formed from the outside of the printer 1 to the inside of the housing 2. When it is in the open state, the components arranged inside the housing 2 are exposed to the outside of the printer 1.

  Various sensors for detecting the state of the printer 1 are provided in the housing 2. First, in the supply path of the recording paper p formed by the paper feed chute 32, a paper chute sensor 62 for detecting the passage of the recording paper p in the paper feed chute 32 is provided. Further, the manual feed tray 40 is provided with a manual feed paper sensor 64 for detecting that the recording paper p is set in the manual feed tray 40. Further, a head entrance sensor 66 that detects the conveyance of the recording paper p at the one end side is provided at one end side of the recording medium conveyance unit 20. Further, a head exit sensor 68 for detecting the conveyance of the recording paper p on the other end side is provided on the other end side of the recording medium conveyance unit 20. A paper discharge sensor 70 for detecting the passage of the recording paper p in the paper discharge chute 46 is provided in the paper discharge path of the recording paper p formed by the upper paper discharge chute 46. In the housing 2, a paper feed unit open detection sensor 72 that detects the state of the paper feed unit 3 (open state or closed state) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 includes a CPU 102 that controls the operation of the entire printer 1, a ROM 104 that stores a processing procedure by the CPU 102, and a processing result by the CPU 102. And the like, a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “UI / F”) 108, a head driving unit 110 that drives the recording head 10, the conveyance of the recording paper p by the recording medium conveyance unit 20, and the upper discharge roller 50. The first conveyance control unit 120 that controls the discharge of the recording paper by the second paper feeding control unit 120, the second conveyance control unit that controls the conveyance of the recording paper p by the lower paper feeding pickup roller unit 34, the paper feeding roller 36 and the manual paper feeding pickup roller unit 42. 130 etc. are built in.

Among these, the UI / F 108 includes an operation panel that receives an operation by the user, a display panel for displaying information related to the printer 1, and the like.
The head drive unit 110 is a control circuit that controls the ejection of ink droplets from each of the recording heads 10 in response to a command from the CPU 102.

  The first conveyance control unit 120 includes a first conveyance motor 122 that rotates the conveyance roller 22 and the upper discharge roller 50 that are disposed on the other end side of the recording medium conveyance unit 20 via a power transmission mechanism. A first conveyance drive circuit 124 that drives the conveyance motor 122, a solenoid 126 that operates in response to a command (drive signal) from the CPU 102, and the like. The solenoid 126 constitutes a part of the power transmission mechanism described above, and is located at a position where the pinch roller 52 near the outlet of the paper discharge chute 46 is pressed by the upper paper discharge roller 50 and a position where the pressure is released. This is for operating a clutch (not shown) for moving to either one. The clutch is configured to move the pinch roller 52 from a position where the pressure is released to a position where the pressure is released or from a position where the pressure is released to a position where the pressure is released when a command is given to the solenoid 126. ing.

  The second transport control unit 130 also includes a second transport motor 132 and a second transport motor that operate the lower paper feed pickup roller unit 34, the paper feed roller 36, and the manual paper feed pickup roller unit 42 via a power transmission mechanism. A second conveyance drive circuit 134 for driving the actuator 132; solenoids 136a, 136b, which will be described later, which operate in response to commands (drive signals) from the CPU 102; 136c.

Here, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the second transport motor 132 will be described.
In this power transmission mechanism, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the power of the second transport motor 132 is transmitted to the shaft 206 via the timing belt 202 and the pulley 204, and then one end side of the shaft 206 (FIG. 3). From the right side) to the rotating shaft 36a of the paper feed roller 36 via the timing belt 208, and from the other end side (left side in FIG. 3) of the shaft 206 to the power switching mechanism 210 described later.

  The feed roller 36 (rotating shaft 36a) is connected to the manual feed mechanism 230 via the timing belt 222 at the end opposite to the end connected to the timing belt 208, and is connected to the second transport motor. The power transmitted from the 132 side is transmitted to the manual sheet feeding mechanism 230.

  The manual paper feed mechanism 230 includes a plurality of gears. The manual paper feed mechanism 230 includes a gear 232 coupled to the manual paper feed pickup roller unit 42, a stopper 234 that restricts the rotation of the gear 232, and the solenoid 136a described above. A clutch that interrupts transmission of power to the pickup roller portion 42 is formed. Of these, the gear 232 rotates by meshing with the gear 236 disposed on the timing belt 222 side, but teeth are not formed only in a partial region along the circumference. In this state, since the gear 236 does not mesh with the gear 236, the rotation is restricted by the stopper 234 in this state. When the solenoid 136a receives a command (driving signal) from the CPU 102, the solenoid 136a operates to release the restriction of the gear 232 by the stopper 234, whereby the gear 232 meshes with the gear 236 by the action of the pulling spring. The power transmitted from the paper feed roller 36 through these gears is transmitted to the manual paper feed pickup roller unit 42. The manual paper feed pickup roller unit 42 transmits the power transmitted from the manual paper feed unit 230 to the leading roller through a plurality of built-in gears, and is set on the manual tray 40 by the rotation of this roller. The recording paper p is picked up and conveyed to the recording medium conveyance unit 20 side.

  A roller nip mechanism 240 that presses the pinch roller 38 toward the paper feed roller 36 is formed on the end of the paper feed roller 36 (rotary shaft 36a) connected to the timing belt 208.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the roller nip mechanism 240 transmits a gear 242 connected to the rotation shaft 38 a of the pinch roller 38, a gear 244 that transmits power to the gear 242, and power of the paper feed roller 36 to the gear 244. Therefore, a clutch for interrupting transmission of power to the pinch roller 38 is formed by the gear 246 for this purpose, the stopper 248 for restricting the rotation of the gear 246, and the solenoid 136b described above. Of these, the gear 244 is attached to the rotation shaft 36a of the paper feed roller 36, and is configured to be able to rotate independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft 36a. The gear 246 rotates by meshing with the gear portion of the pulley 36b connected to the timing belt 208, and transmits the power to the gear 244. Of the region meshed with the gear portion of the pulley 36b, Since teeth are not formed only in a part of the region along the circumferential portion, and the gear portion of the pulley 36b is not engaged in this region, the rotation is restricted by the stopper 248 in this state. When the solenoid 136b receives a command (driving signal) from the CPU 102, the solenoid 136b operates to release the restriction of the gear 246 by the stopper 248, whereby the gear 246 is engaged with the gear 244 by the action of the pulling spring, The power of the paper feed roller 36 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 38a through these gears. An eccentric cam 38b is attached to the rotary shaft 38a, and the rotary shaft 38a approaches the paper feed roller 36 by rotating in contact with a bearing 252 attached to the rotary shaft 36a of the paper feed roller 36. Go away. Therefore, by rotating the rotary shaft 38a until it approaches the paper feed roller 36, the pinch roller 38 can be pressed toward the paper feed roller 36, and on the contrary, the rotary shaft 38a is moved until it is separated. By rotating it, the pressing can be released.

  The power switching mechanism 210 described above is composed of a plurality of gears. The gear 212 is connected to the lower paper feed pickup roller unit 34, the gear 214 transmits power to the gear 212, and the gear 214 rotates. A clutch that interrupts transmission of power to the lower paper feed pickup roller portion 34 is formed by the stopper 216 that regulates and the solenoid 136c described above. Of these, the gear 214 is rotated by meshing with the gear 218 disposed on the second transport motor 132 side, but the teeth are not formed only in a partial region along the circumferential portion. In this region, the gear 218 is not engaged with the gear 218, so that the rotation is restricted by the stopper 216 in this state. Further, the solenoid 136c operates to release the restriction of the gear 214 by the stopper 216 when receiving a command (drive signal) from the CPU 102, whereby the gear 214 is arranged on the shaft 206 side by the action of the pulling spring. The gears 218 are engaged with each other, and the power transmitted from the second transport motor 132 side through these gears is transmitted to the lower paper feed pickup roller unit 34. The lower paper feed pickup roller unit 34 transmits the power transmitted from the power switching mechanism 210 to the front roller via a plurality of built-in gears, and is stored in the paper feed cassette 30 by the rotation of this roller. The recording paper p is picked up and conveyed to the recording medium conveyance unit 20 side.

  The power switching mechanism 210 has a planetary gear 250 that is displaced by the rotation of the gear 218, and is transmitted via the planetary gear 250 when the second transport motor 132 is rotated clockwise (CW). The motive power is transmitted to the rotation drive mechanism 260.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation drive mechanism 260 is arranged such that a pair of cam gears 264 each having a sliding protrusion 262 are formed so as to sandwich the recording medium transport unit 20. It is fitted via a roller member 268 into a groove 26 formed on the side surface of the medium transport unit 20 along the recording paper transport direction. In this configuration, as the cam gear 264 rotates, the sliding projection 262 transmits the power in the vertical direction to the recording medium conveying unit 20 while sliding along the groove 26. In the present embodiment, the recording medium transport unit 20 is mounted so that only the transport roller 24 on one end side can be displaced in the vertical direction. It will rotate around the conveyance roller 22 on the side. Specifically, when the cam gear 264 rotates 1/2 from the initial state, the cam gear 264 rotates around the conveying roller 22 and moves to a separation position separated from the head surface of the recording head 10 (see FIG. 1C). To do. Thereafter, when the cam gear 264 further rotates 1/2, the cam gear 264 rotates in the opposite direction and moves to a proximity position close to the head surface of the recording head 10 (see FIG. 1B). That is, the rotation drive mechanism 260 operates to move the recording medium transport unit 20 from the proximity position to the separation position and return it to the proximity position by rotating the cam gear 264 once from the initial state. The gear 266 that transmits power to the cam gear 264 is configured so as to be able to rotate only in a certain direction by the one-way clutch 269, and moves to the separation position side by the weight of the recording medium transport unit 20. It is configured so that there is no.

[Image formation processing]
Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the image forming process executed by the CPU 102 when an external image printing command is issued will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the carrying operation is started (s110). In this process, the recording medium conveyance unit 20 (conveyance roller 22) and the upper discharge roller 50 are operated by causing the first conveyance drive circuit 124 to start the rotation of the first conveyance motor 122. At this time, since the command to the solenoid 126 is not performed and the clutch is not operated, the pinch roller 52 is in a state in which the pressure with the upper discharge roller 50 is released. In this process, the second transport driving circuit 134 starts the rotation of the second transport motor 132 to operate the paper feed roller 36 and to start transporting the recording paper p in response to a command to each solenoid 136. . Specifically, the solenoid 136c of the power switching mechanism 210 is operated for a certain period of time, and the recording paper p is picked up by the lower paper feed pickup roller unit 34, and the solenoid 136b of the roller nip mechanism 240 is operated to rotate the pinch roller 38. By making (1/2 rotation), the pinch roller 38 presses the paper feed roller 36 (nip). In the image forming process, the second transport motor 132 is rotated counterclockwise (CCW).

Thus, by starting the operation of each unit, the conveyance of the recording paper p from the paper feed cassette 30 is started, and the recording paper p can be conveyed to the upper paper discharge unit 48.
Next, it is checked whether or not the start of conveyance of the recording paper p by the recording medium conveyance unit 20 is detected by the head entrance sensor 66 (s120). If not detected (s120: NO), conveyance is performed in the process of s110. If the elapsed time after starting the operation is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value (5 seconds in the present embodiment) (s130: NO), the process returns to s120, while the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. (S130: YES), it is notified that some trouble has occurred in the recording sheet p being conveyed (s140). Here, notification is performed by displaying a message indicating that a trouble has occurred on the display panel of the UI / F 108. Here, it is notified that a trouble has occurred such as the recording paper p being jammed in the path from the paper feed cassette 30 to one end side of the recording medium transport unit 20.

  After the process of s140, after the carrying operation is finished (s142), the main image forming process is finished. In the process of s142, the first conveyance drive circuit 124 stops the rotation of the first conveyance motor 122, and the second conveyance drive circuit 134 stops the rotation of the second conveyance motor 132, thereby stopping each roller.

  If the start of conveyance of the recording paper p is detected in the process of s120 (s120: YES), the solenoid 136b in the roller nip mechanism 240 is operated to release the pressure (nip) between the paper feed roller 36 and the pinch roller 38. Thus, the conveyance of the recording paper p by the paper feed roller 36 and the pinch roller 38 is finished (s150). Here, the solenoid 136b of the roller nip mechanism 240 is operated for a certain period of time to rotate the rotary shaft 38a (1/2 rotation), so that the pinch roller 38 is pressed against the paper feed roller 36. Will be released.

  Next, the recording head 10 is driven by the head driving unit 110 in accordance with the conveyance of the recording paper p by the recording medium conveyance unit 20, and ink droplets are ejected from each recording head 10, thereby forming an image on the recording paper p. (S160).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the head exit sensor 68 detects that the trailing edge of the recording paper p has been conveyed to the other end side of the recording medium conveying unit 20 (s170). s170: NO), an elapsed time after the start of conveyance of the recording paper p by the recording medium conveyance unit 20 is detected in the process of s120 (the recording medium conveyance unit 20 moves the recording paper p from one end side to the other end side). If it is not equal to or greater than the value required for the conveyance (s180: NO), the process returns to the process of s170, while if the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (s180: YES), the process of s140 is performed. To notify that some trouble has occurred in the recording sheet p being conveyed. Here, it is notified that a trouble such as a jam of the recording paper p has occurred in the path on the recording medium transport unit 20.

  If it is detected in the process of s170 that the recording paper p has been conveyed (s170: YES), the process waits until the conveyance of the recording paper p by the head entrance sensor 66 is not detected (s190: NO). If it is no longer detected (s190: YES), the solenoid 136b of the roller nip mechanism 240 is operated to press the rotating shaft 38a against the paper feed roller 36, whereby the next recording paper p can be conveyed by the paper feed roller 36. A state is set (s200). Here, similarly to the process of s110 described above, the pinch roller 38 presses the paper feed roller 36 by rotating the rotation shaft 38a (1/2 rotation).

  Next, it waits until the conveyance of the recording paper p by the head exit sensor 68 is not detected (s210: NO), and when it is not detected (s210: YES), the solenoid 126 of the first conveyance control unit 120 is operated to pinch. By pressing the roller 52 against the upper paper discharge roller 50, the recording paper p can be discharged by the upper paper discharge roller 50 (s220).

  Next, it is checked whether or not it has been detected by the paper discharge sensor 70 that the recording paper p has been conveyed to the upper paper discharge chute 46 (s230). If not detected (s230: NO), the process proceeds to s190. The elapsed time after the conveyance of the recording paper p by the head exit sensor 68 is no longer detected in the process must be a predetermined value (a value corresponding to the time required for the recording paper p to reach the discharge chute 46) or more. If the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (s240: YES), the process proceeds to s140, and some trouble has occurred in the recording sheet p being conveyed. Inform the effect. Here, it is notified that a trouble such as the recording paper p being jammed has occurred in the upper paper discharge chute 46.

  If it is detected in the process of s230 that the recording paper p has been conveyed to the upper paper discharge chute 46 (s230: YES), the process waits until the conveyance of the recording paper p by the paper discharge sensor 70 is not detected. (S250: NO) When no longer detected (s250: YES), the solenoid 126 of the first transport control unit 120 is operated for a certain period of time to release the pressing (nip) of the pinch roller 52 with the upper discharge roller 50. Thus, the recording paper p is not discharged by the upper paper discharge roller 50 (s260).

  Next, the transport operation is terminated (s270). Here, similarly to the processing of s142 described above, each roller is stopped by starting the rotation of the first transport motor 122 and the second transport motor 132.

  Then, for all images (all pages) for which printing has been commanded from the outside, it is checked whether or not the image formation on the recording paper p has been completed (s280), and if not completed (s280: NO), s110 On the other hand, if completed (s280: YES), the present image forming process is terminated.

  In the image forming process described above, the recording paper p is supplied to the recording medium transport unit 20 from the paper feed cassette 30. However, in the process of s110, the manual paper tray 64 is used to manually feed the recording paper p. In the case where it is detected that the recording paper p is set on the paper 40, or when the setting to use the recording paper p set on the manual feed tray 40 is made, the second transport driving circuit 134 is set. The rotation of the second transport motor 132 may be started, and the solenoid 136a of the manual paper feed mechanism 230 may be operated for a predetermined time to pick up the recording paper p by the manual paper feed pickup roller unit 42. In this case, in the process of s150, the process of s160 may be performed after the solenoid 136c of the power switching mechanism 210 is not operated.

[Separation proximity processing]
Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the separation / proximity process that is repeatedly executed after the printer 1 is activated will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the process waits until the paper feed unit open detection sensor 72 detects that the paper feed unit 3 is opened (open) (s310: NO). Here, the opening of the paper feed unit 3 is an operation performed for the user to remove the recording paper p existing between the head surface of the recording head 10 and the recording medium transport unit 20, so-called jam processing. Thus, it is performed after the occurrence of the trouble is notified in the image forming process described above.

  If it is detected in the process of s310 that the paper feed unit 3 is opened (s310: YES), the recording medium transport unit 20 is moved from the proximity position to the separation position (s320). Here, the second transport driving circuit 134 is caused to rotate the second transport motor 132 clockwise (CW) for a predetermined time. As described above, the power when the second transport motor 132 is rotating clockwise is transmitted to the cam gear 264 of the rotation drive mechanism 260 via the planetary gear 250 of the power switching mechanism 210, and the cam gear 264 is caused by this power. The recording medium transport unit 20 moves from the separation position to the proximity position after reaching the separation position from the proximity position until one rotation. Therefore, in the process of s320, the time required for the cam gear 264 to move the recording medium transport unit 20 from the proximity position to the separation position, that is, the time required to rotate the cam gear 264 by 1/2. Only the second transport motor 132 is rotated clockwise. Accordingly, the recording medium transport unit 20 moves from the close position (see FIG. 1B) to the separated position (see FIG. 1C).

  As described above, after the recording medium transport unit 20 moves to the separation position, the opening H formed by opening the paper feed unit 3 is formed between the head surface of the recording head 10 and the recording medium transport unit 20. In this state, the recording paper p existing in this space can be taken out of the printer 1. Thereafter, the user takes out the recording paper p existing in the space between the head surface of the recording head 10 and the recording medium transport unit 20 and then closes the paper feeding unit 3 (closed). Become.

Next, it waits until the paper feed unit open detection sensor 72 detects that the paper feed unit 3 is closed (s330: NO).
If it is detected that the paper feed unit 3 is closed (s330: YES), the recording medium transport unit 20 is moved from the separation position to the proximity position (s340). Here, the second transport driving circuit 134 is caused to rotate the second transport motor 132 clockwise (CW) again for a certain period of time. In the process of s340, only the time required for the cam gear 264 to move the recording medium transport unit 20 from the separated position to the close position, that is, the time required to further rotate the cam gear 264 by half is set. Then, the second transport motor 132 is rotated clockwise. As a result, the recording medium transport unit 20 moves from the separated position to the close position.

[effect]
According to the printer 1 configured as described above, the recording paper p positioned between the recording medium transport unit 20 and the head surface is placed with the head surface of the recording head 10 and the recording medium transport unit 20 separated from each other. Can be removed. At this time, the jam processing for removing the recording paper p is performed through the opening H formed on the side surface of the housing 2, and the recording medium transport unit 20 is not exposed to the outside. Compared with a configuration in which the recording head 10 and the recording medium transporting unit 20 are largely opened up and down by lifting the 10 side upward, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the printer 1.

  Further, since the printer 1 has a structure that enables jam processing by separating the recording medium conveyance unit 20 side from the head surface, the printer 1 takes out the recording paper p unlike the configuration in which the recording head 10 side is displaced. When the recording is performed, it is difficult for the recording head 10 to receive a large vibration or impact.

  This is particularly effective in an ink jet printer that ejects ink droplets from the recording head 10. In an inkjet printer, for the purpose of accurately controlling the ejection of ink droplets, the ink droplet ejection port of each nozzle provided in the recording head 10 needs to be formed with a meniscus so that ink droplets can be ejected constantly. . For this reason, if a large vibration or impact is applied to the recording head 10 during the jam processing, the ink in each nozzle cannot be maintained in a concave shape, so that the next ejected ink droplet cannot be accurately controlled. There is a fear. However, if the recording medium conveying unit 20 side is separated from the head surface as in the case of the printer 1, it is difficult to apply large vibrations or impacts to the recording head 10 in the jam processing, so that the meniscus of the nozzle is broken. In addition, the ejection of ink droplets can be accurately controlled.

  Further, if each nozzle of the recording head 10 is connected to the ink tank via the ink supply path, the height of the ink tank and the nozzle (water head difference) may cause a meniscus. Such pressure is different. In spite of the jam processing, the positional relationship between the recording head 10 and the ink tank changes, so that the pressure in the supply path varies, and depending on the degree, the meniscus may not be maintained. As a result, there is a possibility that the next ejected ink droplet cannot be accurately controlled. However, in the case of this printer 1, the positional relationship between the recording head 10 and the ink tank does not change during the jam processing, so that the meniscus can be continuously discharged and the ink droplets can be accurately discharged as a result. It can be controlled well.

  Further, since the housing 2 of the printer 1 is provided with an openable and closable paper feeding unit 3 that opens or closes the opening H, the paper feeding unit 3 closes the opening H except during jam processing. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent dust from entering the printer 1.

  Further, the movement of the recording medium transport unit 20 from the proximity position to the separation position is automatically performed when the paper feeding unit 3 is opened (processing of s320 in FIG. 7), and the separation medium is moved from the separation position to the proximity position. Since the movement is automatically performed when the paper feed unit 3 is closed (the process of s340 in the figure), it is possible to easily perform the jam processing by simply opening the paper feed unit 3, and the recording paper After removing p, the jam processing can be easily terminated simply by closing the paper feed unit 3.

  The paper feed unit 3 is provided with a paper feed chute 32, a paper feed roller 36, a pinch roller 38, and a manual paper feed pickup roller unit 42 on the inside of the housing 2. Since the space and the space as the supply path of the recording paper p are integrated, the printer 1 itself can be downsized as compared with the case where these spaces are provided separately.

  In addition, the sheet feeding unit 3 opens and closes the side surface portion of the housing 2 with the components arranged on the inner side, and these components are exposed to the outside of the printer 1 when opened. Become. Therefore, when the recording paper p is jammed in the supply path composed of these components, it is possible to easily perform jam processing from the supply path.

  Further, in the process of transporting the recording paper p in the image forming process of FIG. 6, when the recording paper p is transported to the recording medium transporting section 20 by the paper feed roller 36 and the pinch roller 38, that is, by the recording medium transporting section 20. When the conveyance of the recording paper p is started, the nip between the paper feed roller 36 and the pinch roller 38 is released (processing of s150), and the recording paper p is not conveyed by the paper feed roller 36 and the pinch roller 38. . Therefore, even when the conveyance speeds of the recording medium conveyance unit 20 and the feeding roller 36 supply conveyance unit are different due to an error or deterioration, the recording paper p is conveyed while being pulled. The recording paper p can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, the second transport motor 132 moves the recording medium transport unit 20 to the close position or the separate position via the power transmission mechanism, rotates the paper feed roller 36, and presses the pinch roller 38 against the paper feed roller 36. , Can be driven. Therefore, the number of motors for driving each component of the printer 1 can be reduced.

[Modification]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various forms can be taken as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the above embodiment, the movement of the recording medium transport unit 20 from the proximity position to the separation position and the movement from the separation position to the proximity position are automatically performed according to the open / close state of the paper feed unit 3. What was comprised was illustrated. However, the movement of the recording medium transport unit 20 is not automatically performed in this way. For example, when a specific operation is performed on the UI / F 108, the recording medium transport unit 20 is moved from the proximity position of the recording medium transport unit 20. You may comprise so that the movement to a separation position and the movement from a separation position to a proximity position may be performed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording medium transport unit 20 is separated by the configuration in which the recording medium transport unit 20 rotates and moves the entire recording medium transport unit 20 around the rotation axis of the transport roller 22 on the other end side. The thing which implement | achieved the structure displaced to a position or a proximity position was illustrated. However, the configuration for displacing the recording medium transport unit 20 in this way is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the upper surface of the recording medium transport unit 20 is separated in parallel from the head surface. May be.

Vertical section showing the internal structure of the printer Block diagram showing the control system of the printer The perspective view which shows the power transmission mechanism which transmits the motive power of a 2nd conveyance motor. A perspective view showing a roller nip mechanism in a power transmission mechanism The perspective view which shows the rotational drive mechanism in a power transmission mechanism Flow chart showing processing procedure of image forming processing The flowchart which shows the process sequence of separation proximity processing

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 2 ... Housing | casing, 3 ... Paper feed unit, 10 ... Recording head, 20 ... Recording medium conveyance part, 22 ... Conveyance roller, 24 ... Conveyance roller, 26 ... Groove part, 30 ... Paper feed cassette, 32 ... Feed Paper chute, 34 ... Lower feed pickup roller section, 36 ... Feed roller, 36a ... Rotating shaft, 36b ... Pulley, 38 ... Pinch roller, 38a ... Rotating shaft, 38b ... Eccentric cam, 40 ... Manual feed tray, 42 ... Manual feed Paper feed pickup roller section 44... Paper pressing roller 46. Upper paper ejection chute 48. Upper paper ejection section 50. Upper paper ejection roller 52. Pinch roller 62 62 Paper feed chute sensor 64. Sensor 66... Head entrance sensor 68. Head exit sensor 70. Discharge sensor 72. Paper feed unit open detection sensor 110. Head drive unit 120 120 First transport control 122 ... 1st conveyance motor, 124 ... 1st conveyance drive circuit, 126 ... Solenoid, 130 ... 2nd conveyance control part, 132 ... 2nd conveyance motor, 134 ... 2nd conveyance drive circuit, 136a ... Solenoid, 136b ... Solenoid DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 136c ... Solenoid, 202 ... Timing belt, 204 ... Pulley, 206 ... Shaft, 208 ... Timing belt, 210 ... Power switching mechanism, 212 ... Gear, 214 ... Gear, 216 ... Stopper, 218 ... Gear, 222 ... Timing belt, 230: Manual feeding mechanism, 230 ... Manual feeding section, 232 ... Gear, 234 ... Stopper, 236 ... Gear, 240 ... Roll nip mechanism, 242 ... Gear, 244 ... Gear, 246 ... Gear, 248 ... Stopper, 250 ... Planet Gear 252 ... Bearing 260 ... Rotation drive mechanism 262 ... Sliding projection 264 The cam gear, 266 ... gear, 268 ... roller member.

Claims (6)

A recording head for recording an image on a recording medium;
A recording medium transport unit that transports the recording medium along the head surface of the recording head;
Displacement means capable of displacing the recording medium transport unit to a close position close to the head surface and a separate position spaced from the head surface;
A housing containing the recording head, the recording medium transport unit, and the displacement means;
A printer comprising:
An opening is formed on the side of the housing,
The casing is provided with a cover member that can freely open and close the opening, and that can take out the recording medium to the outside when the recording medium transport unit is in the separation position .
further,
A supply / conveyance section provided in a supply path for supplying the recording medium to the recording medium conveyance section, and having a conveyance roller for nipping and conveying the recording medium;
A motor capable of driving the transport roller and driving the displacement means via a planetary gear connectable with the displacement means,
The displacement means includes a groove portion extending in the recording medium conveyance direction in the recording medium conveyance portion, and a cam gear having a protrusion that is rotatable and protrudes in a direction intersecting the rotation direction. Is slidably fitted in the groove,
When the motor rotates in the first direction, the rotation is transmitted to the transport roller, thereby driving the transport roller to transport the recording medium, and the planetary gear is connected to the displacement means. Without the rotation of the motor in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the planetary gear is connected to the displacement means and transmits the rotation to the displacement means, A printer, wherein the cam gear is rotated to displace the medium transport unit from the proximity position to the separation position or from the separation position to the proximity position . Comprising an opening detection means for detecting that the cover member is opened;
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the displacement unit displaces the recording medium conveyance unit to the separated position when the opening detection unit detects that the cover member is opened. A closing detection means for detecting that the cover member is closed;
3. The displacement unit according to claim 1, wherein the displacement unit displaces the recording medium transport unit to the proximity position when the closure detection unit detects that the cover member is closed. 4. Printer. The cover member is formed with at least a part of a supply path for supplying the recording medium to the recording medium transport unit in a state in which the opening is closed. When the opening is opened, at least one of the supply paths is formed. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is configured to be exposed to the outside of the printer. When the recording medium is supplied to the recording medium conveying unit from the supply conveyor section, the conveyor rollers are printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that to release the holding of the recording medium .   A placement unit on which a recording medium is placed;
A pickup roller for supplying the recording medium placed on the placement unit to the recording medium transport unit;
  A transmission mechanism capable of transmitting the power of the motor to the pickup roller;
  The transmission mechanism has a clutch for intermittently transmitting the power to the pickup roller,
  When the motor rotates in the first direction, the transmission mechanism transmits the power to the pickup roller by the clutch, thereby driving the pickup roller to supply the recording medium. When transmitting in the second direction, the transmission mechanism does not transmit the power to the pickup roller by the clutch.
  The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: